Offseason
NFL draft
With the first pick overall, the Chargers drafted Eli Manning. Manning would be traded to the New York Giants in exchange for Philip Rivers and several draft picks.
Round |
Player |
Position |
School/Club Team |
1 |
Eli Manning
(traded to New York Giants for Philip Rivers, plus the Giants 3rd round pick of the same year and their 1st and 5th round picks in the 2005 draft.) |
Quarterback |
Ole Miss |
2 |
Igor Olshansky |
Defensive Tackle |
Oregon |
[1]
Personnel
Staff
2004 San Diego Chargers staff |
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Front office
- Owner – Alex Spanos
- President/Chief Executive Officer – Dean Spanos
- Executive Vice President – Michael Spanos
- Executive Vice President/General Manager – A. J. Smith
- Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel – Buddy Nix
- Vice President of Football Operations – Ed McGuire
- Director of College Scouting – Jimmy Raye
- Director of Pro Scouting – Fran Foley
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
- Strength and Conditioning – Dave Redding
- Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Matt Schiotz
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[2]
Roster
2004 San Diego Chargers final roster |
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
Active, Inactive, Practice squad |
Regular season
Schedule
In addition to their regular games with AFC West rivals, the Chargers played games against the AFC South and NFC South as per the schedule rotation, and also played against the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns who finished fourth in the other AFC divisions in 2003.
Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
TV |
Attendance |
1 |
September 12, 2004 |
at Houston Texans |
W 27–20 |
CBS |
70,255 |
2 |
September 19, 2004 |
New York Jets |
L 34–28 |
CBS |
57,310 |
3 |
September 26, 2004 |
at Denver Broncos |
L 23–13 |
CBS |
74,553 |
4 |
October 3, 2004 |
Tennessee Titans |
W 38–17 |
CBS |
54,006 |
5 |
October 10, 2004 |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
W 34–21 |
CBS |
52,101 |
6 |
October 17, 2004 |
at Atlanta Falcons |
L 21–20 |
CBS |
70,187 |
7 |
October 24, 2004 |
at Carolina Panthers |
W 17–6 |
CBS |
73,096 |
8 |
October 31, 2004 |
Oakland Raiders |
W 42–14 |
CBS |
66,210 |
9 |
November 7, 2004 |
New Orleans Saints |
W 43–17 |
FOX |
59,662 |
10 |
Bye |
11 |
November 21, 2004 |
at Oakland Raiders |
W 23–17 |
CBS |
46,905 |
12 |
November 28, 2004 |
at Kansas City Chiefs |
W 34–31 |
CBS |
77,447 |
13 |
December 5, 2004 |
Denver Broncos |
W 20–17 |
CBS |
65,395 |
14 |
December 12, 2004 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
W 31–24 |
FOX |
65,858 |
15 |
December 19, 2004 |
at Cleveland Browns |
W 21–0 |
CBS |
72,489 |
16 |
December 26, 2004 |
at Indianapolis Colts |
L 34–31 (OT) |
CBS |
57,330 |
17 |
January 2, 2005 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
W 24–17 |
CBS |
64,920 |
Game summaries
Week 1: at Houston Texans
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Chargers |
3 |
7 | 10 | 7 |
27 |
Texans |
3 |
10 | 7 | 0 |
20 |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 11:49 | HOU | Kris Brown 37-yard field goal | HOU 3–0 |
| 1 | 7:35 | SD | Nate Kaeding 48-yard field goal | Tied 3–3 |
| 2 | 14:07 | HOU | Kris Brown 20-yard field goal | HOU 6–3 |
| 2 | 9:51 | SD | LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 10–6 |
| 2 | 4:36 | HOU | Dominick Davis 2-yard run (Kris Brown kick) | HOU 13–10 |
| 3 | 9:12 | SD | Reche Caldwell 36-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 17–13 |
| 3 | 4:40 | HOU | Dominick Davis 1-yard run (Kris Brown kick) | HOU 20–17 |
| 3 | 0:00 | SD | Nate Kaeding 29-yard field goal | Tied 20–20 |
| 4 | 8:34 | SD | Eric Parker 19-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 27–20 |
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Week 2: vs. New York Jets
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Jets |
14 |
3 | 10 | 7 |
34 |
Chargers |
0 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
28 |
- Date: September 19
- Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
- Game weather: 73 °F (22.8 °C), humidity 67 percent, wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
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Week 3: at Denver Broncos
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Chargers |
3 |
0 | 7 | 3 |
13 |
• Broncos |
7 |
6 | 7 | 3 |
23 |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 8:15 | DEN | Rod Smith 16-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Jason Elam kick) | DEN 7–0 |
| 1 | 2:18 | SD | Nate Kaeding 23-yard field goal | DEN 7–3 |
| 2 | 12:24 | DEN | Jason Elam 22-yard field goal | DEN 10–3 |
| 2 | 7:43 | DEN | Jason Elam 23-yard field goal | DEN 13–3 |
| 3 | 7:37 | SD | Drew Brees 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | DEN 13–10 |
| 3 | 3:29 | DEN | Ashley Lelie 33-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Jason Elam kick) | DEN 20–10 |
| 4 | 14:06 | SD | Nate Kaeding 51-yard field goal | DEN 20–13 |
| 4 | 11:12 | DEN | Jason Elam 43-yard field goal | DEN 23–13 |
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Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Titans |
0 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
17 |
• Chargers |
7 |
14 | 3 | 14 |
38 |
- Date: October 3
- Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
- Game weather: 74 °F (23.3 °C), humidity 69 percent, wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
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Week 5: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Jaguars |
0 |
7 | 0 | 14 |
21 |
• Chargers |
14 |
7 | 6 | 7 |
34 |
- Date: October 10
- Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
- Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), humidity 76 percent, wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 10:14 | SD | Antonio Gates 1-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 7–0 |
| 1 | 4:03 | SD | LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 14–0 |
| 2 | 9:23 | SD | Antonio Gates 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 21–0 |
| 2 | 1:33 | JAC | Chris Fumatu-Ma'afala 1-yard run (Josh Scobee kick) | SD 21–7 |
| 3 | 7:15 | SD | Nate Kaeding 21-yard field goal | SD 24–7 |
| 3 | 0:46 | SD | Nate Kaeding 28-yard field goal | SD 27–7 |
| 4 | 10:42 | JAC | Byron Leftwich 2-yard run (Josh Scobee kick) | SD 27–14 |
| 4 | 9:54 | SD | Jesse Chatman 41-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 34–14 |
| 4 | 7:21 | JAC | Cortez Hankton 7-yard pass from Byron Leftwich (Josh Scobee kick) | SD 34–21 |
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Week 6: at Atlanta Falcons
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Chargers |
0 |
14 | 3 | 3 |
20 |
• Falcons |
0 |
7 | 0 | 14 |
21 |
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This was the first time in their history, the Chargers beat the Falcons.
Week 7: at Carolina Panthers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Chargers |
0 |
0 | 10 | 7 |
17 |
Panthers |
6 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
6 |
- Date: October 24
- Location: Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, NC
- Game weather: 58 °F (14.4 °C), humidity 90 percent, wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 8:21 | CAR | John Kasay 28-yard field goal | CAR 3–0 |
| 1 | 3:28 | CAR | John Kasay 21-yard field goal | CAR 6–0 |
| 3 | 8:13 | SD | LaDainian Tomlinson 8-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 7–6 |
| 3 | 2:36 | SD | Nate Kaeding 44-yard field goal | SD 10–6 |
| 4 | 1:42 | SD | Jesse Chatman 5-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 17–6 |
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Week 8: vs. Oakland Raiders
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Raiders |
0 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
14 |
• Chargers |
14 |
14 | 14 | 0 |
42 |
- Date: October 31
- Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
- Game weather: 69 °F (20.6 °C), humidity 57 percent, wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
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Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Saints |
0 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
17 |
• Chargers |
14 |
6 | 16 | 7 |
43 |
- Date: November 7
- Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
- Game weather: 63 °F (17.2 °C), humidity 78 percent, wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 9:50 | SD | Antonio Gates 12-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 7–0 |
| 1 | 5:29 | SD | LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 14–0 |
| 2 | 13:02 | SD | Nate Kaeding 40-yard field goal | SD 17–0 |
| 2 | 8:12 | NO | Deuce McAllister 2-yard run (John Carney kick) | SD 17–7 |
| 2 | 3:15 | SD | Nate Kaeding 27-yard field goal | SD 20–7 |
| 3 | 8:36 | SD | Safety, holding penalty on Wayne Gandy in end zone | SD 22–7 |
| 3 | 3:15 | SD | Antonio Gates 7-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 29–7 |
| 3 | 2:04 | SD | Antonio Gates 2-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 36–7 |
| 4 | 13:53 | NO | John Carney 37-yard field goal | SD 36–10 |
| 4 | 7:06 | SD | Kassim Osgood 12-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 43–10 |
| 4 | 4:04 | NO | Boo Williams 6-yard pass from Aaron Brooks (John Carney kick) | SD 43–17 |
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Week 11: at Oakland Raiders
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Chargers |
6 |
7 | 3 | 7 |
23 |
Raiders |
0 |
7 | 7 | 3 |
17 |
- Date: November 21
- Location: McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, CA
- Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), humidity 28 percent, wind 18 miles per hour (29 km/h; 16 kn)
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Week 12: at Kansas City Chiefs
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Chargers |
7 |
7 | 3 | 17 |
34 |
Chiefs |
7 |
10 | 0 | 14 |
31 |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 7:01 | SD | LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 7–0 |
| 1 | 4:26 | KC | Derrick Blaylock 5-yard run (Lawrence Tynes kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | 9:05 | KC | Larry Johnson 6-yard run (Lawrence Tynes kick) | KC 14–7 |
| 2 | 3:11 | SD | LaDainian Tomlinson 3-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | Tied 14–14 |
| 2 | 0:45 | KC | Lawrence Tynes 28-yard field goal | KC 17–14 |
| 3 | 7:24 | SD | Nate Kaeding 25-yard field goal | Tied 17–17 |
| 4 | 14:17 | KC | Derrick Blaylock 22-yard run (kick failed) | KC 23–17 |
| 4 | 10:13 | SD | Antonio Gates 18-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 24–23 |
| 4 | 10:00 | KC | Dante Hall 96-yard kickoff return (Trent Green to Eddie Kennison pass) | KC 31–24 |
| 4 | 7:22 | SD | Antonio Gates 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | Tied 31–31 |
| 4 | 2:24 | SD | Nate Kaeding 43-yard field goal | SD 34–31 |
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Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Broncos |
0 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
17 |
• Chargers |
7 |
10 | 3 | 0 |
20 |
- Date: December 5
- Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
- Game weather: 58 °F (14.4 °C), humidity 77 percent, wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 12:01 | SD | LaDainian Tomlinson 5-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 7–0 |
| 2 | 13:27 | DEN | Tatum Bell 16-yard run (Jason Elam kick) | Tied 7–7 |
| 2 | 7:05 | SD | LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 14–7 |
| 2 | 0:00 | SD | Nate Kaeding 23-yard field goal | SD 17–7 |
| 3 | 5:12 | SD | Nate Kaeding 23-yard field goal | SD 20–7 |
| 4 | 14:18 | DEN | Reuben Droughns 4-yard run (Jason Elam kick) | SD 20–14 |
| 4 | 9:26 | DEN | Jason Elam 31-yard field goal | SD 20–17 |
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Week 14: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Buccaneers |
0 |
7 | 7 | 10 |
24 |
• Chargers |
0 |
14 | 7 | 10 |
31 |
- Date: December 12
- Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
- Game weather: 69 °F (20.6 °C), humidity 63 percent, wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
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Week 15: at Cleveland Browns
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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• Chargers |
7 |
7 | 7 | 0 |
21 |
Browns |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
- Date: December 19
- Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OH
- Game weather: 18 °F (−7.8 °C), humidity 68 percent, wind 30 miles per hour (48 km/h; 26 kn), wind chill −10 °F or −23.3 °C
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San Diego clinches its first division title since 1994.
Week 16: at Indianapolis Colts
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
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Chargers |
7 |
10 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
31 |
• Colts |
0 |
9 | 7 | 15 | 3 |
34 |
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Scoring summary |
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| 1 | 4:48 | SD | LaDainian Tomlinson 74-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 7–0 |
| 2 | 14:18 | IND | Mike Vanderjagt 36-yard field goal | SD 7–3 |
| 2 | 11:46 | SD | Nate Kaeding 50-yard field goal | SD 10–3 |
| 2 | 7:09 | SD | Eric Parker 19-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 17–3 |
| 2 | 4:30 | IND | Mike Vanderjagt 26-yard field goal | SD 17–6 |
| 2 | 0:18 | IND | Mike Vanderjagt 23-yard field goal | SD 17–9 |
| 3 | 9:24 | SD | Antonio Gates 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 24–9 |
| 3 | 6:11 | IND | James Mungro 3-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick) | SD 24–16 |
| 4 | 14:55 | SD | LaDainian Tomlinson 16-yard run (Nate Kaeding kick) | SD 31–16 |
| 4 | 14:42 | IND | Dominic Rhodes 88-yard kickoff return (Mike Vanderjagt kick) | SD 31–23 |
| 4 | 0:56 | IND | Brandon Stokley 14-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Edgerrin James run) | Tied 31–31 |
| OT | 12:13 | IND | Mike Vanderjagt 30-yard field goal | IND 34–31 |
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Week 17: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Chiefs |
0 |
3 | 0 | 14 |
17 |
• Chargers |
3 |
14 | 0 | 7 |
24 |
- Date: January 2
- Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
- Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), humidity 87 percent, wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
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Playoffs
Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
TV |
Attendance |
Wildcard |
January 8, 2005 |
New York Jets |
L 20–17 |
ABC |
67,536 |
Game summaries
Wild Card: vs. New York Jets
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1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
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• Jets |
0 |
7 | 10 | 0 | 3 |
20 |
Chargers |
0 |
7 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
17 |
- Date: January 8
- Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
- Game weather: 55 °F (12.8 °C), humidity 86 percent, wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
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References
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Franchise | |
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Stadiums | |
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Culture | |
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Rivalries | |
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Lore | |
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Wild card berths (2) | |
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Division championships (15) | |
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Conference championships (1) | |
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League championships (1) | |
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Current league affiliations | |
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Former league affiliation | |
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Seasons (59) | |
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Championship seasons in bold
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